Shoe attachment



Dec. 30, 1969 w. PURTLE 3,486,250

SHOE ATTACHMENT Filed March 5, 1968 INVENTOR: RUSSELL W. PURTLE H15 ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,486,250 SHOE ATTACHMENT Russell W. Purtle, 5541 Goethe Ave.,

St. Louis, Mo. 63109 Filed Mar. 5, 1968, Ser. No. 710,586 Int. Cl. A43c 13/02 US. C]. 3672 1 Claim ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A simple device removably applicable to a shoe and adapted to obviate the instep strains and fatigue that result from climbing ladders, and standing on the rungs thereof for long periods of time. Particularly practical for painters, carpenters, and other ladder users. Comprises a metallic plate contoured so as to approximate the contour of the shank and thereto adjacent ball portion of a shoe outsole. Manual lacing means in cooperation with a pair of upstanding perforated ears integral with the plate, facilitate attachment of the device. The device may be attached for example at one beginning of a workday, and remain in place until the days work is done, as it does not interfere with walking.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to the use of ladders in the performances of work above ground level, and more particularly to a novel device designed to relieve the strains and fatigue inflicted on the feet of those whose occupation requires climbing and standing on the rungs of ladders in performing such work.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The primary object of the instant invention is to provide an attachment for the right and for the left shoe of a ladder user that is designed to obviate the pain, strain, and the fatigue resultant in consequence of prolonged standing on rungs.

A related feature of the invention resides in the inherent protection provided against damage to the sole of the shoe, particularly to the shank portion thereof.

The device comprising this invention includes: a metallic plate having integrally formed therewith a pair of opposed lug or ear segments that extend diagonally upwardly therefrom; an opening formed in each of said ear segments; and flexible fastening means associated with said openings and adapted to overlie the instep portion of the shoe whereto said device is applied as will be described in more detail.

The invention is illustrated on a sheet of drawings that accompanies this specifications, and a more comprehensive understanding of the features and advantages thereof will be apparent from the detailed description that follows with reference to said drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of a right foot shoe attachment embodying the concept of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of said attachment;

FIGURE 3 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially on the line 33 of FIGURE 2, with an exemplary securing means being included; and

FIGURE 4 is a side elevational view of the invention in position on a shoe, a ladder rung being suggested in broken lines.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Although the drawing illustrates and this description refers to an attachment for the right foot of a wearer, it will of course be understood that the attachments of the invention will be manufactured in pairs, one right and one left.

The shoe attachment comprising the present invention is generally designated by the numeral 6. The device 6 includes but two components, these being a metallic plate designated as a whole by the numeral 8, and a fastening element generally designated 10.

The plate 8 includes a slightly arcuate front portion 12 that merges into a flat rear portion 14. The plate portion 14 terminates in a transverse rear marginal edge 16. As shown particularly in FIGURE 3, a pair of op posed lug or ear extensions 18 that are integral therewith, project upwardly and angularly outwardly from the side marginal edges of the plate 8, said extensions being formed approximately along the transverse mergence line of the plate portions 12 and .14. Each extension has an opening 20 formed therein, the openings shown being circular. It will however be understood that said openings may be rectangular if desired.

The fastening element 10 is preferably though not necessarily made of leather, and may be circular or rectangular in cross-section. Exemplarily illustrated in the drawings is a leather thong 22 including a central section 24 and opposite end sections 26, said thong being manipulatable to form a knot therein.

USE

In FIGURE 4, the invention is shown in properly attached position on an exemplary shoe including a sole portion S and a heel portion H. It is believed this view adequately demonstrates the use of the invention. It will be noted that the plate 8 is disposed against the sole S in an area underlying the instep, with the rear marginal edge 16 of the plate portion 14 disposed against the forward face F of the heel H. The central section 24 of the thong 22 overlies the instep, and the opposite end sections 26 thereof, each extending through one of the ear openings 20, are tightly drawn and tied into a knot suggested at K.

A ladder rung of circular cross-section is suggested in broken lines and designated R, but it will be understood that the invention is also useful with respect to rungs of rectangular cross-sectional configuration.

With the device thus securely attached for example in the morning, a workman need not remove it until evening. The plate 8 although rigid is relatively thin, so that use of the device does not hamper walking. At the same time however, its use does obviate strain and fatigue in ladder ascending and descending actions, and particularly during prolonged standings on ladder rungs.

It should of course be understood that the illustrated structural details may be modified somewhat without departing from the main concept of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a removable shoe attachment for the purpose described the combination including:

a metallic plate having a slightly arcuate front portion adapted to be disposed against the instepunderlying area of the sole portion of a shoe, said front portion merging into a flat rear portion terminating in a transverse marginal edge for engagement against the forward face of the heel portion of said shoe;

a pair of opposed ear extensions integral with the plate, each of said extensions projecting upwardly and angularly outwardly from one side marginal 3,486,250 3 4 edge of the plate, said ear extensions being formed References Cited approximately along the transverse mergence line of said front and rear portions of the plate; UNITED STATES PATENTS an opening formed in each ear extension aforesaid; 579 577 3 1 97 Hanscom 3 7 5 X and manipulatable flexible means for releasably se- 5 714,821 12/1902 |Ra1ser 3672 X curlng said attachment to the shoe, said means 1,223,994 4/1917 Malick 36 72 comprising an appropriate length of leather thong including an instep-overlying central section, and opposite end sections each adapted to be passed FOREIGN PATENTS through one of said ear extension openings, and 234 663 5 /1911 German then to be brought together and formed into a knot 10 y disposed against the instep-overlying portion of said PATRICKD LAWSON Primary Examiner shoe. 

